Tory guru: Let's learn from brave Kylie

Tory election guru Lynton Crosby says the party must take lessons from Kylie Minogue if it is to recover from its third election defeat.

He believes the singer - who is in hospital with breast cancer - is the perfect example for the Conservatives.

Mr Crosby said: "She's not a quitter and she never whinges. She's a good operator and she works bloody hard."

Mr Crosby, who was paid ?250,000 to mastermind the core values.

Tory's election campaign, says they must now be "ruthless, determined, and responsible" if they are to return to power.

In an interview with the Spectator, he called on the party to reinvent itself in the same way as Kylie when she returned to the top of the charts, without abandoning its

He said: "She knows how to reinvent herself but still be true to herself. Even with this cancer thing she is still being positive."

Mr Crosby, who is returning to his native Australia after six months in London, warned the Tories not to descend into bitter infighting ahead of the leadership contest.

He claimed the party had "become a shambles" in the wake of its catastrophic defeat in 1997. Mr Crosby told the party: "Voters won't be interestedin ideas or policies at the moment. It's all about how you conduct yourselves; you've got to look unified, disciplined and dignified."